Abstract: ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

Abstract: ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

Abstract: A low-voltage microfluidic valve device and system for regulating the flow of fluid. One low-voltage microfluidic valve device for regulating the low of fluid includes a nano-textured dendritic metallic filament configured to grow and retract in response to a voltage. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a microfluidic channel configured to allow fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow is selectively interrupted by the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a membrane positioned proximate to the fluid and configured to alter shape in response to the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament.

Abstract: Fully-passive sensor systems that receive an input electromagnetic signal and return an output electromagnetic signal are described. The sensor systems can be used to measure pressure in biological or non-biological systems.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods involving cardiac pace making are provided. Implantable wireless pace making systems, devices, and methods using electromagnetic waveforms to interact with subcutaneous implanted sensors or stimulators, or both, are described. Systems, devices, and methods can include wireless, miniaturized, battery-free, radiofrequency (RF) microwave activated, sensors or stimulators or integrated sensor/stimulators that are implanted in multiple thoracic cavity locations, and interact with a remote pace making control-module or multiple modules.

Abstract: A low-voltage microfluidic valve device and system for regulating the flow of fluid. One low-voltage microfluidic valve device for regulating the low of fluid includes a nano-textured dendritic metallic filament configured to grow and retract in response to a voltage. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a microfluidic channel configured to allow fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow is selectively interrupted by the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a membrane positioned proximate to the fluid and configured to alter shape in response to the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament.

Abstract: Fully-passive sensor systems that receive an input electromagnetic signal and return an output electromagnetic signal are described. The sensor systems can be used to measure pressure in biological or non-biological systems.

Abstract: ElectroCorticoGraphy (ECoG) sensors and uses are disclosed. These ECoG arrays, systems, and processes may be operable or configured to: i) simultaneously record neural signals while providing stimulation on specific portions of the cortex using a user-guided stimulator; ii) acquire neural signals over a large cortex area; iii) provide individual or group stimulation while concurrently receiving neural feedback; and/or iv) acquire neural signals at a setting remote from the neural source using wireless or other communication techniques.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes, articles of manufacture, devices, and systems involving biomedical monitoring measurement and analysis. More particularly, respiratory measurement, monitoring, analysis, or related systems involving wearable sensors and receiving monitors for respiratory behavior tracking and analysis.

Abstract: A low-voltage microfluidic valve device and system for regulating the flow of fluid. One low-voltage microfluidic valve device for regulating the low of fluid includes a nano-textured dendritic metallic filament configured to grow and retract in response to a voltage. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a microfluidic channel configured to allow fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow is selectively interrupted by the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a membrane positioned proximate to the fluid and configured to alter shape in response to the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods involving cardiac pace making are provided. Implantable wireless pace making systems, devices, and methods using electromagnetic waveforms to interact with subcutaneous implanted sensors or stimulators, or both, are described. Systems, devices, and methods can include wireless, miniaturized, battery-free, radiofrequency (RF) microwave activated, sensors or stimulators or integrated sensor/stimulators that are implanted in multiple thoracic cavity locations, and interact with a remote pace making control-module or multiple modules.

Abstract: A low-voltage microfluidic valve device and system for regulating the flow of fluid. One low-voltage microfluidic valve device for regulating the low of fluid includes a nano-textured dendritic metallic filament configured to grow and retract in response to a voltage. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a microfluidic channel configured to allow fluid flow, wherein the fluid flow is selectively interrupted by the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament. The low-voltage microfluidic valve device also includes a membrane positioned proximate to the fluid and configured to alter shape in response to the growth of the nano-textured dendritic metallic filament.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing cancer screening assays are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods use a thin film comprising cross-linked polysiloxane. At least a portion of a biological sample to be assayed is contacted with the thin film, along with a cell culture media. After a subsequent incubation period, the thin film is visualized to detect a wrinkle pattern (or lack thereof). The presence of one or more wrinkles and/or a higher degree of wrinkling in the thin film indicates the presence of cancer cells in the biological sample. The disclosed systems and methods can be incorporated into improved assays and kits for cancer screening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing cancer screening assays are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods use a thin film comprising cross-linked polysiloxane. At least a portion of a biological sample to be assayed is contacted with the thin film, along with a cell culture media. After a subsequent incubation period, the thin film is visualized to detect a wrinkle pattern (or lack thereof). The presence of one or more wrinkles and/or a higher degree of wrinkling in the thin film indicates the presence of cancer cells in the biological sample. The disclosed systems and methods can be incorporated into improved assays and kits for cancer screening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the devices and method comprising microelectrode arrays for the differentiation, maturation and functional analysis of electroconductive cells, including muscle cells (including, but not limited to, cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle myocytes and smooth muscle myocytes) and neuronal cells. The microelectrode present on the arrays can be used to stimulate and record from cells cultured on the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate has a substantially smooth surface, and in other embodiments the substrate is nanotextured, including an array of substantially parallel grooves and ridges of nanometer-micrometer widths.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 ?W/cm2. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microphone devices useful, for example, in hearing aid devices. The present invention relates more particularly to tunable microphone devices, and methods used to tune them. One aspect of the present invention is a microphone device that includes at least one microphone element. Each microphone element comprises a diaphragm suspended by a substrate; a solid electrolyte disposed on the diaphragm; an anode electrically coupled to the solid electrolyte; and a cathode electrically coupled to the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is disposed between the anode and the cathode, such that ions flowing from the anode to the cathode travel through the solid electrolyte and electrons can flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode portion having an anode and a cathode portion having a cathode. The anode is configured to support an electrically conductive biofilm matrix. A cation exchange membrane is positioned between the anode and the cathode. The anode portion and the cation exchange membrane define an anode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive an anolyte. The cathode portion and the cation exchange membrane define a cathode chamber having a volume of between about 1 ?L and about 100 ?L and configured to receive a catholyte. The microbial fuel cell is configured to achieve a Coulombic efficiency of at least 30% and/or a power density of at least of 4.7 ?W/cm2. The microbial fuel cell is a microelectromechanical system and can be fabricated in an automated production process.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microphone devices useful, for example, in hearing aid devices. The present invention relates more particularly to tunable microphone devices, and methods used to tune them. One aspect of the present invention is a microphone device that includes at least one microphone element. Each microphone element comprises a diaphragm suspended by a substrate; a solid electrolyte disposed on the diaphragm; an anode electrically coupled to the solid electrolyte; and a cathode electrically coupled to the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is disposed between the anode and the cathode, such that ions flowing from the anode to the cathode travel through the solid electrolyte and electrons can flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A vacuum or hermetic packaged micromachined or MEMS device and methods for manufacturing the device so that the device has at least one substantially vertical feedthrough are provided. In a first embodiment, the method includes: providing a MEMS device fabricated on a first side of a substrate and located within a vacuum or hermetic cavity; forming at least one hole completely through the substrate between first and second sides of the substrate after the step of providing; and forming a path of electrically conductive material connecting the MEMS device and the second side of the substrate through the at least one hole to form the at least one substantially vertical feedthrough.